As the flamingo rises
Looking for the perfect drive-in theater, Michael Leon, the locations manager for the film "The Flamingo Rising," drove 4,700 miles through the South, hitting every still-working, barely-scraping-by outdoor screen he could find.

Torch assaulters and sporty drag queens
It's getting strange in the Outback. We're talking Australia here, where the Olympics will take place and, more importantly, where the next "Survivor" will strand its poor castaways.

A holiday of jazz
Call it a labor of love as the Jazz Society of St. Augustine continues its Labor Day tradition of free jazz this Monday in the Plaza de la Constitucion.

One man's search for "Room at the Top'
The Film Society of St. Augustine will show one of Great Britain's award-winning classics, the 1950s "Room at the Top" with Simone Signoret and Lawrence Harvey.

Holmes in Jacksonville
Linda Holmes' oil painting exhibit, "St. Augustine and Around,'' is on display at the Beaches Art Center in Jacksonville Beach through Sept. 29.

Your Weekend
Tonight
- Jazz at the Village: The WJCT Jazz at the Village concert series comes to an end at the World Golf Village with the Jazz in the Schools All-Star Ensemble, made up of local high school jazz musicians, and the big band swing from The Dynamic Les DeMerle Band featuring Bonnie Eisele. The concert at the World Golf Village is free and begins at 7 p.m. Parking is $5. For information, call 940-4123.

Good comes with bad for ecotourism
This column occasionally features nature tours and parks, usually within a couple of hours drive of St. Augustine. Recently, St. Johns County has joined the ranks of Florida counties recognizing ecotourism, or nature tourism, as a viable addition to our offerings to tourists.

Your weekend
- First Friday Art Walk: A free, self-guided walking tour of the city's art galleries will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. with new shows and refreshments at galleries throughout town.

Some kind words for Publix
I have just had a truly memorable encounter with two Publix employees and felt compelled to share the experience with you. On August 11, I lost a small plastic picture insert from my wallet. In it were irreplaceable photos of my now 29-year-old daughter as a toddler and teenager. It also held $81 in 20's and 5's plus 1's folded into each of the photo compartments. This was my special fund to use for Christmas shopping. There was one thing missing -- a current ID.

Bush defends GOP attack ad as "tongue in cheek'
TEXARKANA, Ark. -- A day after Republicans released an ad mocking Al Gore for raising money in a Buddhist temple and saying he helped invent the Internet, George W. Bush on Friday called it a "tongue-in-cheek'' response to the Democrats' "withering'' assaults.

CDC measures people's exposure to some controversial chemicals
WASHINGTON -- Government scientists have discovered that people's bodies absorb questionable chemicals used in such everyday products as fingernail polish -- some, particularly in young women, at levels that raise questions about possible health effects.

Fewer Americans pledging long-term allegiance to a political party
WASHINGTON -- When Americans choose either George W. Bush or Al Gore this November, they will decide who will live in the White House for the next four years. But in the new and difficult political landscape of this new century, they likely will grant only a short-term lease.

Commission says that "going postal' is a myth
WASHINGTON -- "Going postal'' is a myth, according to a commission formed to study violence at the post office. The panel found postal workers are no more likely to face violence on the job than workers in general, and only one-third as likely to be murdered there.

Clinton rejects early deployment of national missile defense system
WASHINGTON -- President Clinton said Friday he is not convinced the technology is at hand to build an effective anti-missile shield and will leave it to the next president -- Al Gore or George W. Bush -- to decide when, or if, to deploy a national missile defense that is prohibited by a 1972 arms control treaty.

Republicans go after Gore's integrity in ad
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Going negative and getting personal, the Republican Party is questioning Al Gore's credibility with a TV ad reminding voters about his Buddhist temple fund-raiser and the time he took credit for the Internet.

Clinton vetoes estate tax repeal
WASHINGTON -- President Clinton on Thursday vetoed Republican-sponsored legislation phasing out the estate tax, saying it was skewed toward the wealthy and would squander the nation's surplus.

Poll has Gore ahead by 10 points
WASHINGTON -- Al Gore holds a 10-point lead over George W. Bush in a national presidential poll of registered voters out Friday. Other polls show a double-digit lead in Vermont and an edge in Iowa.

Most American Indians see no benefit from casinos
SAN CARLOS, Ariz. -- The plaque outside the Apache Gold Casino declares the $40 million hotel, golf and gambling resort has "helped enable the San Carlos Apache Tribe to give a better quality of life to its tribal members.''

Jobless rate edges higher due to Census layoffs
WASHINGTON -- Unemployment crept up to 4.1 percent in August as total payrolls fell sharply. Most of those given pink slips were temporary Census workers, and the 18-day Verizon Communications strike masked new jobs added elsewhere in the economy.

DreamWorks in talks to sell its Web site
LOS ANGELES -- Pop.com, the long-awaited entry into the Internet entertainment world from Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks studio, may be sold before it even debuts.

F-16 crashes off the coast of N.J.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- An F-16 on a training flight plunged into the ocean Thursday off the New Jersey coast after its engine quit.

Clintons' host has big state income tax bill
SKANEATELES, N.Y. -- The builder playing host to President Clinton and Senate candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton this weekend in this upstate New York resort village has an outstanding state tax bill of almost $1 million, officials said Friday.

Rain offers firefighters encouragement
HELENA, Mont. -- Rain dampened thousands of acres of burning forest in the northern Rockies on Friday, but firefighters were reluctant to say they had gained the advantage.

Many states lacking adequate insurance oversight, survey says
WASHINGTON -- About three-quarters of Americans live in states whose insurance departments don't meet minimum standards of funding to oversee the insurance industry, the Consumer Federation of America said Thursday as it released a nationwide survey.

Cheney says he's prepared to forfeit stock options
WASHINGTON -- Republican vice-presidential nominee Dick Cheney said Friday he was "fully prepared to forfeit'' oil-company stock options that he would otherwise continue to hold after taking office if he and George W. Bush win in November.

Study suggests drug could help stubborn asthma
A study suggests that an experimental drug could halve the number of asthma attacks suffered by people whose condition isn't well controlled with current treatment -- about 15 percent of all asthma patients, a researcher said Thursday.

More deaths linked to tires by Firestone
WASHINGTON -- Federal investigators said Thursday that 26 more U.S. traffic deaths have been linked to recalled Firestone tires while in Venezuelan authorities recommended criminal prosecution of Ford Motor Co. and the Bridgestone/Firestone company for deaths there.

Princeton leads annual ranking of universities
Princeton University tops this year's U.S. News & World Report's annual ranking of the nation's universities, followed quickly by its Ivy League brethren Harvard and Yale, which were tied for No. 2.

Woman dies from carbon monoxide
ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH -- A 53-year-old St. Johns County woman was found dead on the floor of her garage Thursday morning, most likely from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning from her car, Sheriff Neil Perry said.

This strange construct we call a life
A year ago, I wrote a profile about a 31-year-old fellow named Carlos Ortiz, who was fighting in the courts -- both in St. Augustine and in his home state of Pennsylvania -- to get his little girl back.

Battling reckless drivers incognito
A motorcyclist going over 100 mph near the Buckman Bridge in Jacksonville Tuesday might have been on the lookout for patrol cars on the road as he sped to a home he planned on burglarizing.

Couple charged with assault
A 48-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman were charged with aggravated assault for trying to choke a man who had just bought crack cocaine for them, according to St. Augustine police.

Correction
In Friday's edition, it was reported that First Federal Savings and Loans had a required monthly minimum of $1,000 for its regular checking account. The correct amoutn is $600. Also the name of the bank should be First Federal Bank of North Florida.

Reckless driving
A 20-year-old man was charged with reckless driving Wednesday night for driving 70 mph in a 25 mph zone, according to St. Augustine police.

Burglaries and Thefts
- A burglar broke into a 1989 Ford Tempo around noon Monday in the 2120 block of U.S. 1 South and stole a purse, makeup, a driver's license and a social security card. Total value: $67.

Sands of Time
25 YEARS AGO
Ray Usher, pitcher for Harry's Curb Mart, was named the most valuable player in the Ancient City Labor Day Softball Tournament, while his team's manager Don (Jeepy) Usina, holds the team trophy. Also, with Marvin Kimbrough, tournament organizer, are Jimmy Cooper, manager of the runner-up Palatka Azaleas, while Jimmy Taylor holds the trophy for the tournament's "home run king.'' Some 16 teams from Florida and South Georgia participated in the five-day tournament at Francis Field, with Harry's coming out of the loser's bracket with a trio of triumphs Sunday afternoon to gain championship honors.

Sands of Time
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur G. Dignan, 348 Armas Ave., announced the birth of a son, Aug. 29, at St. Augustine General Hospital.

Man acquitted of store robbery
Facing a life sentence in prison, a 20-year-old man was acquitted Thursday of robbing a convenience store clerk at gunpoint about a week after he was released from prison on a strong-armed robbery conviction.

Boy kicked in face
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on charges of simple battery and disruption of a school function Wednesday morning after kicking a 12-year-old boy in the face, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Three sentenced in marijuana case
Three St. Johns County men, including a local real estate broker, were handed down prison sentences in federal court Thursday for cultivating marijuana plants at a defunct scallop plant off U.S. 1 South, just north of the Flagler County line.

Feeling the pinch of ATM and bank fees?
Banks offer consumers a variety of services including checking accounts, but with so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which is best.

Frank Santella
Funeral services for Frank Anthony Santella, 83, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 30, 2000, at Flagler Pines Nursing Home, Bunnell, will be held at 11 a.m. today at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, with the Rev. William Mooney officiating.

Dieter Duffy
Funeral services for Dieter Duffy, 31, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 30, 2000, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident, will be held at 2 p.m. today at St. Anastasia Catholic Church.

John Bronkowski
Graveside services for John Bronkowski, 72, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 30, 2000, will be held at 11 a.m. today at Holly Hill Memorial Park, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, with Pastor Jerry Sparks officiating.

Robert Lippacher
A celebration of life for Robert Frank Lippacher, 74, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 30, 2000, at Flagler Hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. today at St. Augustine Shores United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Matthew Swartsel officiating.

Robert Lippacher
Robert Frank Lippacher, 74, St. Augustine, died Aug. 30, 2000, at Flagler Hospital.

George Phillips
George Ross Phillips, 75, St. Augustine, died Aug. 28, 2000, at his home.

William Stursberg
Memorial services for William Thomas Stursberg 73, St. Augustine, who died at St. Luke's Hospital, Jacksonville, Aug. 29, 2000, will be held today at the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum, at 3 p.m.

Viola Swain
Funeral services for Viola Able Swain, 84, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 28, 2000, at Flagler Hospital, will be held at 3 p.m. today at Trinity United Methodist Church, with the Rev. T. Melton officiating.

Viola Swain
Funeral services for Viola Able Swain, 84, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 28, 2000, at Flagler Hospital, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, with the Rev. T. Melton officiating.

John Bronkowski
John Bronkowski, 72, died Aug. 30, 2000. He was born in Wallington, N.J., and he moved to Orange Park in 1982, where he lived until moving to St. Augustine a year ago.

Luis Garcia-Fernandez
Memorial services for Luis Jose Garcia-Fernandez, 68, who died Aug. 28, 2000, in St. Augustine, will be at 10 a.m. today at Trinity Episcopal Parish.

Hammond Odom
Funeral services for Hammond Odom, 86, St. Augustine, who died Aug. 25, 2000, in Flagler Hospital, will be held at 11 a.m. today at the First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Allen Pennill officiating.

Nease fights back for win
You have to love the kickers. They're not the biggest, toughest players on the field, but they can level a blow on an opposing football program like no other player on a roster.

Stoic Agassi sent home
NEW YORK -- There was no sadness in Andre Agassi's eyes, no regret over the listless loss of his U.S. Open title, no excuse that his thoughts were on his cancer-stricken mother and sister more than his tennis.

Ball St. to get all it wants from UF
GAINESVILLE -- In his defense, when Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley signed the contract to play Ball State, the year was 1993 and the Cardinals had just won a conference championship.

Reds send Bichette to Red Sox
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Hoping to add pop for a playoff run, the Boston Red Sox obtained Dante Bichette from the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday for two minor league pitchers.

Four share lead in Canada Air
SURREY, British Columbia (AP) -- Doug Barron, bothered by a neck injury, shot a 6-under-par 65 on Thursday for a share of the lead in the Air Canada Championship.

Mayfield finds good fortune in Darlington
DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Jeremy Mayfield's season of mixed fortune took another upward turn Friday when he mastered NASCAR's most difficult track to win the pole for the Southern 500.

Nevin powers Padres
CHICAGO -- Phil Nevin hurt the Cubs again, hitting a two-run homer and driving in another two runs with a single as San Diego beat Chicago.

Suspensions mar Wisconsin victory
MADISON, Wis. -- Michael Bennett rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown as No. 4 Wisconsin survived the suspension of five starters in a lackluster 19-7 victory over Western Michigan on Thursday night.

Umpires agree to contract through 2004
NEW YORK -- Ending six months of often acrimonious negotiations, baseball and its new umpires' union agreed to a labor contract running through 2004 that calls for raises averaging about 15 percent.

Notre Dame, UCLA chasing past glory
The quest for a return to national prominence by UCLA and Notre Dame highlights a pair of college football showdowns this weekend on Start-up Saturday.

Pacers send Davis to Blazers for O'Neal
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A day after acquiring Shawn Kemp, the Portland Trail Blazers beefed up their front line some more Thursday, getting Dale Davis from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for unhappy Jermaine O'Neal.

Parnevik opens slim lead in Air Canada
SURREY, British Columbia -- Jesper Parnevik, recovering from a hip injury, shot a 6-under-par 65 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead in the Air Canada Championship.

Cocaine found on boat
MIAMI (AP) -- Five men have been charged with trying to smuggle more than a ton of cocaine in a hidden compartment aboard a boat that docked at a West Palm Beach marina.

Jax man arrested on N.C. bigamy warrant
JACKSONVILLE -- A North Carolina man was arrested for bigamy at the home of his fourth wife, whom he married in February allegedly without getting a divorce from his second or third wives.

Judge throws out award in Pizza Hut suit
ORLANDO (AP) -- A judge threw out a jury's decision Friday that Pizza Hut of America Inc. should pay $1.25 million to a black family for allowing a worker to send a receipt containing a racist slur to their home during a pizza delivery.

Canada's Indian-settler dispute continues
TORONTO -- A conflict dating back to the arrival of white settlers in North America has rekindled off the coast of eastern Canada, with Indian fishermen and government agents clashing at sea in increasingly dangerous battles over fishing rights.

Two Mexican generals arrested for drug links
MEXICO CITY -- Two senior generals allegedly linked to a powerful drug cartel have been arrested in the Mexican military's biggest scandal since the general who headed anti-drug efforts was arrested in 1997 on charges of protecting the same traffickers.

Egypt: "Now or Never' for peace in Mideast
CAIRO, Egypt -- Mideast peace must come "now or never'' and Israel needs to show willingness to make concessions, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, whose country is a key player in Mideast peacemaking, told a French newspaper.

Feds seize lobster traps off Canada
BURNT CHURCH, New Brunswick -- For the third time in recent weeks, federal agents on Tuesday removed hundreds of lobster traps set by an Indian group in a dispute over fishing rights.

Bribe-taking scandal widens
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- A federal judge said Friday there was growing evidence of bribe-taking in the Argentine Senate and announced he was deepening his investigation into a corruption scandal that has shaken the nation.

France to cut taxes
PARIS -- Few people, it seems, are more intimately acquainted with taxes than the French. More than 45 percent of the wealth generated nationwide is grabbed by the revenue man, one of the world's biggest tax bites. The average adult works seven months of the year to pay taxes, direct and indirect.

More details about Concorde crash
LE BOURGET, France -- French investigators revealed a new piece Friday to the puzzle of the Concorde crash: The supersonic jet's runway was to be checked an hour before the flight, they said, but the inspection was bumped because of an airport fire drill.

Putin lashes out at tycoons, media
MOSCOW (AP) -- In a rare public display of anger, President Vladimir Putin accused business tycoons and independent media of ruining the country's military and sought to distance himself from the legacy of his predecessors.

Yugoslav unit returning to Kosovo
PETLOVO BOJISTE, Yugoslavia -- An elite Yugoslav army unit whose goal is to return to the NATO-controlled province of Kosovo held war games Friday -- a show of force apparently meant to boost President Slobodan Milosevic's tarnished image ahead of elections.

Jiang says he sympathized with protesters
NEW YORK (AP) -- In a rare admission for a Chinese communist leader, President Jiang Zemin says he sympathized with the passions for freedom and democracy that drove students into Tiananmen Square 11 years ago.

Japan launches strategy to catch up with West in infotech
TOKYO -- A panel of Japanese corporate heavyweights is asking the government for a complete overhaul of Japan's information infrastructure that would allow it to overtake the United States within five years in offering low-cost, high-speed Internet access.